Inkjet cartridge with ink reservoir core and releasable housing

ABSTRACT

A print roll unit includes an elongate ink reservoir core defining a plurality of ink chambers which each extend along the core. The chambers are isolated to store respective inks. A roll of print media includes a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former. A housing includes a pair of molded covers which can be fastened together in a releasable manner to house the roll of print media. The core includes an elongate part defining the ink chambers and a rubber sealing cap which can be engaged with an end of the molded part to seal the ink chambers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation of Ser. No. 10/831,243 filed Apr. 26, 2004, which is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 09/112,743 filed Jul. 10, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,951 all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to digital cameras and in particular, the onboard processing of image data captured by the camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, digital cameras have become increasingly popular. These cameras normally operate by means of imaging a desired image utilising a charge coupled device (CCD) array and storing the imaged scene on an electronic storage medium for later down loading onto a computer system for subsequent manipulation and printing out. Normally, when utilising a computer system to print out an image, sophisticated software may available to manipulate the image in accordance with requirements.

Unfortunately such systems require significant post processing of a captured image and normally present the image in an orientation to which it was taken, relying on the post processing process to perform any necessary or required modifications of the captured image. Also, much of the environmental information available when the picture was taken is lost. Furthermore, the type or size of the media substrate and the types of ink used to print the image can also affect the image quality. Accounting for these factors during post processing of the captured image data can be complex and time consuming.

The present Applicant addresses these issues with a digital camera having an image processor takes account of the lighting conditions at the time of image capture, and confirms the type of ink and media, in order to enhance the quality of the printed image. This camera is described below and in many of the cross referenced documents incorporated herein by reference.

One particular feature of this camera is the instant production of personalized postcards using an inbuilt printhead. This requires a media cartridge that holds a reasonable amount of print media while remaining compact enough to keep the overall dimensions of the camera and cartridge acceptable to users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a media cartridge for supplying print media to a printhead, the cartridge comprising:

a roll of print media;

a casing for rotatably supporting the roll; and,

a drive roller assembly for feeding the print media to the printhead, the drive roller assembly comprising at least one media de-curling roller; such that,

as the media is fed to the printhead, it wraps around a portion of the at least one de-curling roller to remove residual curl caused by storage as a roll.

Providing the media in a roll allows the cartridge to be small and compact. However, the curl imparted to the media from being stored as a roll can interfere with printing when the media substrate passes the printhead. Using a de-curling roller within the drive rollers can straighten the media enough for flat engagement with the platen opposite the printhead.

The invention will be described with respect to its use with a digital camera with an inbuilt printhead. However, it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative and the invention has clear application in many other fields.

Preferably, the cartridge has one de-curling roller and two pinch rollers, wherein the pinch rollers maintain the media substrate wrapped around the required portion of the de-curling roller. In a further preferred form, one of the pinch rollers is driven. In some forms, the driven pinch roller has a geared axle that extends beyond the casing for engagement with an external drive source via a corresponding gear.

Preferably, the casing has a rotatable core for supporting the media roll and an outer cover enclosing the roll and the drive roller assembly, the outer cover comprising two interengaging side moldings that snap lock together to form a media outlet slot adjacent the drive roller assembly. Preferably, one side of the slot has a resilient guide extending away from the slot for resilient engagement with a paper path leading to the printhead upon installation of the cartridge. In a particularly preferred form, the core has an ink supply for the printhead, and an ink outlet in one of the ends of the core for fluid communication with the printhead. In some embodiments, the core is segmented with different coloured inks stored in each of the segments, wherein each of the segments has a respective ink outlet in the end of the core. In particular embodiments, the printhead is controlled by an image processor and the cartridge further comprises an authentication chip for confirming the suitability of the ink and the media to the image processor.

In a particularly preferred form, the cartridge is configured for engagement with a cartridge interface such that the ink outlets establish fluid communication with the printhead, the image processor accesses the authentication chip, the geared axle of the drive roller engages the external drive and the resilient guide extending from the outlet slot engages the paper feed path, in a single installation action.

According to a related aspect, there is provided a digital camera for use with a media cartridge comprising a supply of media substrate on which images can be printed, and an information store with information relating to the media substrate, the camera comprising:

an image sensor for capturing an image;

an image processor for processing image data from the image sensor and transmitting processed data to a printhead; and,

a cartridge interface for accessing the information such that the image processor can utilise the information relating to the media substrate.

The camera accesses information about the media substrate so that the image processor can utilise the information to enhance the quality of the printed image.

Preferably, the media substrate has postcard formatting printed on its reverse surface so that the camera can produce personalised postcards, and the information store has the dimensions of the postcard formatting to allow the image processor to align printed images with the postcard formatting.

In a further preferred form the cartridge further comprises an ink supply for the printhead and the information store is an authentication chip that allows the image processor to confirm that the media substrate and the ink supply is suitable for use with the camera.

According to a related aspect, there is provided a digital camera for sensing and storing an image, the camera comprising:

an image sensor with a charge coupled device (CCD) for capturing image data relating to a sensed image, and an auto exposure setting for adjusting the image data captured by the CCD in response to the lighting conditions at image capture; and,

an image processor for processing image data from the CCD and storing the processed data; wherein,

the image processor is adapted to use information from the auto exposure setting relating to the lighting conditions at image capture when processing the image data from the CCD.

Utilising the auto exposure setting to determine an advantageous re-mapping of colours within the image allows the processor to produce an amended image having colours within an image transformed to account of the auto exposure setting. The processing can comprise re-mapping image colours so they appear deeper and richer when the exposure setting indicates low light conditions and re-mapping image colours to be brighter and more saturated when the auto exposure setting indicates bright light conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the method of operation of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a form of print roll ready for purchase by a consumer;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view, partly in section, of an alternative form of a print roll;

FIG. 4 is a left side exploded perspective view of the print roll of FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is a right side exploded perspective view of a single print roll.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferable implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the present applicant's application entitled “A Digital Image Printing Camera with Image Processing Capability”, the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which, and other related applications are set out in the tables below.

The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images.

In the preferred embodiment, the Artcam has an auto exposure sensor for determining the light level associated with the captured image. This auto exposure sensor is utilised to process the image in accordance with the set light value so as to enhance portions of the image.

Preferably, the area image sensor includes a means for determining the light conditions when capturing an image. The area image sensor adjusts the dynamic range of values captured by the CCD in accordance with the detected level sensor. The captured image is transferred to the Artcam central processor and stored in the memory store. Intensity information, as determined by the area image sensor, is also forwarded to the ACP. This information is utilised by the Artcam central processor to manipulate the stored image to enhance certain effects.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the auto exposure setting information 1 is utilised in conjunction with the stored image 2 to process the image by utilising the ACP. The processed image is returned to the memory store for later printing out 4 on the output printer.

A number of processing steps can be undertaken in accordance with the determined light conditions. Where the auto exposure setting 1 indicates that the image was taken in a low light condition, the image pixel colours are selectively re-mapped so as to make the image colours stronger, deeper and richer.

Where the auto exposure information indicates that highlight conditions were present when the image was taken, the image colours can be processed to make them brighter and more saturated. The re-colouring of the image can be undertaken by conversion of the image to a hue-saturation-value (HSV) format and an alteration of pixel values in accordance with requirements. The pixel values can then be output converted to the required output colour format of printing.

Of course, many different re-colouring techniques may be utilised. Preferably, the techniques are clearly illustrated on the pre-requisite Artcard inserted into the reader. Alternatively, the image processing algorithms can be automatically applied and hard-wired into the camera for utilization in certain conditions.

Alternatively, the Artcard inserted could have a number of manipulations applied to the image which are specific to the auto-exposure setting. For example, clip arts containing candles etc could be inserted in a dark image and large suns inserted in bright images.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the Artcam prints the images onto media stored in a replaceable print roll 5. In some preferred embodiments, the operation of the camera device is such that when a series of images is printed on a first surface of the print roll, the corresponding backing surface has a ready made postcard which can be immediately dispatched at the nearest post office box within the jurisdiction. In this way, personalized postcards can be created.

It would be evident that when utilising the postcard system as illustrated FIG. 2 only predetermined image sizes are possible as the synchronization between the backing postcard portion and the front image must be maintained. This can be achieved by utilising the memory portions of the authentication chip stored within the print roll 5 to store details of the length of each postcard backing format sheet. This can be achieved by either having each postcard the same size or by storing each size within the print rolls on-board print chip memory.

In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a modified form of print roll which can be constructed mostly from injection moulded plastic pieces suitably snapped fitted together. The modified form of print roll has a high ink storage capacity in addition to a somewhat simplified construction. The print media onto which the image is to be printed is wrapped around a plastic sleeve former for simplified construction. The ink media reservoir has a series of air vents which are constructed so as to minimise the opportunities for the ink flow out of the air vents. Further, a rubber seal is provided for the ink outlet holes with the rubber seal being pierced on insertion of the print roll into a camera system. Further, the print roll includes a print media ejection slot and the ejection slot includes a surrounding moulded surface which provides and assists in the accurate positioning of the print media ejection slot relative to the printhead within the printing or camera system.

Turning to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a single point roll unit 5 in an assembled form with a partial cutaway showing internal portions of the print roll. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate left and right side exploded perspective views respectively. The print roll 5 is constructed around the internal core portion 6 which contains an internal ink supply. Outside of the core portion 6 is provided a former 7 around which is wrapped a paper or film supply 8. Around the paper supply it is constructed two cover pieces 9, 10 which snap together around the print roll so as to form a covering unit as illustrated in FIG. 3. The bottom cover piece 10 includes a slot 11 through which the output of the print media 12 for interconnection with the camera system.

Two pinch rollers 13, 14 are provided to pinch the paper against a drive pinch roller 15 so they together provide for a decurling of the paper around the roller 15. The decurling acts to negate the strong curl that may be imparted to the paper from being stored in the form of print roll for an extended period of time. The rollers 13, 14 are provided to form a snap fit with end portions of the cover base portion 10 and the roller 15 which includes a cogged end 16 for driving, snap fits into the upper cover piece 9 so as to pinch the paper 12 firmly between.

The cover pieces 9, 10 includes an end protuberance or lip 17. The end lip 17 is provided for accurate alignment of the exit hole of the paper with a corresponding printing heat platen structure within the camera system. In this way, accurate alignment or positioning of the exiting paper relative to an adjacent printhead is provided for full guidance of the paper to the printhead.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

The present invention is best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles.

Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below.

The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.

Cross-Referenced Applications

The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case:

U.S. Ser. No. Title 6227652 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer 6213588 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer 6213589 Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet 6231163 Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer 6247795 Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer 6394581 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer 6244691 Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer 6257704 Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer 6416168 Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer 6220694 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer 6257705 Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer 6247794 Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer 6234610 Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer 6247793 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer 6264306 Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer 6241342 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer 6247792 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer 6264307 Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer 6254220 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer 6234611 Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer 6302528 Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer 6283582 Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer 6239821 Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer 6338547 Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer 6247796 Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer 6557977 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer 6390603 Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer 6362843 Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer 6293653 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer 6312107 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer 6227653 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer 6234609 A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer 6238040 Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet printer 6188415 Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising an ex- ternal coiled spring 6227654 Trough Container Ink Jet Printer 6209989 Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet 6247791 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet 6336710 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet 6217153 A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device 6416167 A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator units 6243113 A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a tapered heater element 6283581 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet 6247790 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet 6260953 Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet printer 6267469 Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 to IJ45 above.

Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these 45 examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available inkjet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In some cases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables.

ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) Actuator Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Thermal bubble An electrothermal heater heats the ink to Large force generated High power Canon Bubblejet 1979 above boiling point, transferring Simple construction Ink carrier limited to water Endo et al GB patent significant heat to the aqueous ink. A No moving parts Low efficiency 2,007,162 bubble nucleates and quickly forms, Fast operation High temperatures required Xerox heater-in-pit 1990 expelling the ink. Small chip area required for High mechanical stress Hawkins et al U.S. Pat. No. The efficiency of the process is low, with actuator Unusual materials required 4,899,181 typically less than 0.05% of the electrical Large drive transistors Hewlett-Packard TIJ 1982 energy being transformed into kinetic Cavitation causes actuator failure Vaught et al U.S. Pat. No. energy of the drop. Kogation reduces bubble formation 4,490,728 Large print heads are difficult to fabricate Piezoelectric A piezoelectric crystal such as lead Low power consumption Very large area required for actuator Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 lanthanum zirconate (PZT) is electrically Many ink types can be used Difficult to integrate with electronics Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 activated, and either expands, shears, or Fast operation High voltage drive transistors required 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. bends to apply pressure to the ink, High efficiency Full pagewidth print heads impractical due to 3,747,120 ejecting drops. actuator size Epson Stylus Requires electrical poling in high field Tektronix strengths during manufacture IJ04 Electro-strictive An electric field is used to activate Low power consumption Low maximum strain (approx. 0.01%) Seiko Epson, Usui et all JP electrostriction in relaxor materials such Many ink types can be used Large area required for actuator due to low 253401/96 as lead lanthanum zirconate titanate Low thermal expansion strain IJ04 (PLZT) or lead magnesium niobate Electric field strength required Response speed is marginal (~10 μs) (PMN). (approx. 3.5 V/μm) can be High voltage drive transistors required generated without difficulty Full pagewidth print heads impractical due to Does not require electrical poling actuator size Ferroelectric An electric field is used to induce a Low power consumption Difficult to integrate with electronics IJ04 phase transition between the Many ink types can be used Unusual materials such as PLZSnT are antiferroelectric (AFE) and ferroelectric Fast operation (<1 μs) required (FE) phase. Perovskite materials such as Relatively high longitudinal strain Actuators require a large area tin modified lead lanthanum zirconate High efficiency titanate (PLZSnT) exhibit large strains of Electric field strength of around 3 V/μm up to 1% associated with the AFE to FE can be readily provided phase transition. Electrostatic Conductive plates are separated by a Low power consumption Difficult to operate electrostatic devices in an IJ02, IJ04 plates compressible or fluid dielectric (usually Many ink types can be used aqueous environment air). Upon application of a voltage, the Fast operation The electrostatic actuator will normally need plates attract each other and displace ink, to be separated from the ink causing drop ejection. The conductive Very large area required to achieve high plates may be in a comb or honeycomb forces structure, or stacked to increase the High voltage drive transistors may be required surface area and therefore the force. Full pagewidth print heads are not competitive due to actuator size Electrostatic A strong electric field is applied to the Low current consumption High voltage required 1989 Saito et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 pull on ink ink, whereupon electrostatic attraction Low temperature May be damaged by sparks due to air 1989 Miura et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954 accelerates the ink towards the print breakdown Tone-jet medium. Required field strength increases as the drop size decreases High voltage drive transistors required Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent An electromagnet directly attracts a Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ07, IJ10 magnet electromagnetic permanent magnet, displacing ink and Many ink types can be used Permanent magnetic material such as causing drop ejection. Rare earth Fast operation Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) required. magnets with a field strength around 1 High efficiency High local currents required Tesla can be used. Examples are: Easy extension from single Copper metalization should be used for long Samarium Cobalt (SaCo) and magnetic nozzles to pagewidth print electromigration lifetime and low materials in the neodymium iron boron heads resistivity family (NdFeB, NdDyFeBNb, Pigmented inks are usually infeasible NdDyFeB, etc) Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature (around 540 K) Soft magnetic A solenoid induced a magnetic field in a Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ01, IJ05, IJ08, IJ10 core electromagnetic soft magnetic core or yoke fabricated Many ink types can be used Materials not usually present in a CMOS fab IJ12, IJ14, IJ15, IJ17 from a ferrous material such as Fast operation such as NiFe, CoNiFe, or CoFe are electroplated iron alloys such as CoNiFe High efficiency required [1], CoFe, or NiFe alloys. Typically, the Easy extension from single High local currents required soft magnetic material is in two parts, nozzles to pagewidth print Copper metalization should be used for long which are normally held apart by a heads electromigration lifetime and low spring. When the solenoid is actuated, resistivity the two parts attract, displacing the ink. Electroplating is required High saturation flux density is required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Magnetic The Lorenz force acting on a current Low power consumption Force acts as a twisting motion IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, IJ16 Lorenz force carrying wire in a magnetic field is Many ink types can be used Typically, only a quarter of the solenoid utilized. Fast operation length provides force in a useful direction This allows the magnetic field to be High efficiency High local currents required supplied externally to the print head, for Easy extension from single Copper metalization should be used for long example with rare earth permanent nozzles to pagewidth print electromigration lifetime and low magnets. heads resistivity Only the current carrying wire need be Pigmented inks are usually infeasible fabricated on the print-head, simplifying materials requirements. Magnetostriction The actuator uses the giant Many ink types can be used Force acts as a twisting motion Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. magnetostrictive effect of materials such Fast operation Unusual materials such as Terfenol-D are 4,032,929 as Terfenol-D (an alloy of terbium, Easy extension from single required IJ25 dysprosium and iron developed at the nozzles to pagewidth print High local currents required Naval Ordnance Laboratory, hence Ter- heads Copper metalization should be used for long Fe-NOL). For best efficiency, the High force is available electromigration lifetime and low actuator should be pre-stressed to resistivity approx. 8 MPa. Pre-stressing may be required Surface tension Ink under positive pressure is held in a Low power consumption Requires supplementary force to effect drop Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 reduction nozzle by surface tension. The surface Simple construction separation A2 and related patent tension of the ink is reduced below the No unusual materials required in Requires special ink surfactants applications bubble threshold, causing the ink to fabrication Speed may be limited by surfactant properties egress from the nozzle. High efficiency Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity is locally reduced to Simple construction Requires supplementary force to effect drop Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 reduction select which drops are to be ejected. A No unusual materials required in separation A2 and related patent viscosity reduction can be achieved fabrication Requires special ink viscosity properties applications electrothermally with most inks, but Easy extension from single High speed is difficult to achieve special inks can be engineered for a nozzles to pagewidth print Requires oscillating ink pressure 100:1 viscosity reduction. heads A high temperature difference (typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic wave is generated and Can operate without a nozzle Complex drive circuitry 1993 Hadimioglu et al, focussed upon the drop ejection region. plate Complex fabrication EUP 550,192 Low efficiency 1993 Elrod et al, EUP Poor control of drop position 572,220 Poor control of drop volume Thermoelastic An actuator which relies upon Low power consumption Efficient aqueous operation requires a thermal IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, IJ18 bend actuator differential thermal expansion upon Many ink types can be used insulator on the hot side IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, IJ22 Joule heating is used. Simple planar fabrication Corrosion prevention can be difficult IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 Small chip area required for each Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as pigment IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 actuator particles may jam the bend actuator IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 Fast operation IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 High efficiency IJ41 CMOS compatible voltages and currents Standard MEMS processes can be used Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with a very high coefficient of High force can be generated Requires special material (e.g. PTFE) IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 thermoelastic thermal expansion (CTE) such as PTFE is a candidate for low Requires a PTFE deposition process, which is IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 actuator polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is used. dielectric constant insulation in not yet standard in ULSI fabs IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30 As high CTE materials are usually non- ULSI PTFE deposition cannot be followed with high IJ31, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 conductive, a heater fabricated from a Very low power consumption temperature (above 350° C.) processing conductive material is incorporated. A 50 μm Many ink types can be used Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as pigment long PTFE bend actuator with Simple planar fabrication particles may jam the bend actuator polysilicon heater and 15 mW power Small chip area required for each input can provide 180 μN force and 10 μm actuator deflection. Actuator motions include: Fast operation 1) Bend High efficiency 2) Push CMOS compatible voltages and 3) Buckle currents 4) Rotate Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Conductive A polymer with a high coefficient of High force can be generated Requires special materials development (High IJ24 polymer thermal expansion (such as PTFE) is Very low power consumption CTE conductive polymer) thermoelastic doped with conducting substances to Many ink types can be used Requires a PTFE deposition process, which is actuator increase its conductivity to about 3 Simple planar fabrication not yet standard in ULSI fabs orders of magnitude below that of Small chip area required for each PTFE deposition cannot be followed with high copper. The conducting polymer expands actuator temperature (above 350° C.) processing when resistively heated. Fast operation Evaporation and CVD deposition techniques Examples of conducting dopants include: High efficiency cannot be used 1) Carbon nanotubes CMOS compatible voltages and Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as pigment 2) Metal fibers currents particles may jam the bend actuator 3) Conductive polymers such as doped Easy extension from single polythiophene nozzles to pagewidth print 4) Carbon granules heads Shape memory A shape memory alloy such as TiNi (also High force is available (stresses of Fatigue limits maximum number of cycles IJ26 alloy known as Nitinol - Nickel Titanium alloy hundreds of MPa) Low strain (1%) is required to extend fatigue developed at the Naval Ordnance Large strain is available (more resistance Laboratory) is thermally switched than 3%) Cycle rate limited by heat removal between its weak martensitic state and its High corrosion resistance Requires unusual materials (TiNi) high stiffness austenic state. The shape of Simple construction The latent heat of transformation must be the actuator in its martensitic state is Easy extension from single provided deformed relative to the austenic shape. nozzles to pagewidth print High current operation The shape change causes ejection of a heads Requires pre-stressing to distort the drop. Low voltage operation martensitic state Linear Magnetic Linear magnetic actuators include the Linear Magnetic actuators can be Requires unusual semiconductor materials IJ12 Actuator Linear Induction Actuator (LIA), Linear constructed with high thrust, such as soft magnetic alloys (e.g. CoNiFe Permanent Magnet Synchronous long travel, and high efficiency [1]) Actuator (LPMSA), Linear Reluctance using planar semiconductor Some varieties also require permanent Synchronous Actuator (LRSA), Linear fabrication techniques magnetic materials such as Neodymium Switched Reluctance Actuator (LSRA), Long actuator travel is available iron boron (NdFeB) and the Linear Stepper Actuator (LSA). Medium force is available Requires complex multi-phase drive circuitry Low voltage operation High current operation

BASIC OPERATION MODE Operational mode Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Actuator This is the simplest mode of operation: Simple operation Drop repetition rate is usually limited Thermal inkjet directly the actuator directly supplies sufficient No external fields required to less than 10 KHz. However, this is Piezoelectric inkjet pushes ink kinetic energy to expel the drop. The Satellite drops can be avoided if not fundamental to the method, but IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04 drop must have a sufficient velocity to drop velocity is less than 4 m/s is related to the refill method IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09 overcome the surface tension. Can be efficient, depending normally used IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, IJ16 upon the actuator used All of the drop kinetic energy must IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 be provided by the actuator IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28 Satellite drops usually form if drop IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Proximity The drops to be printed are selected by Very simple print head Requires close proximity between the Silverbrook, some manner (e.g. thermally induced fabrication can be used print head and the print media or EP 0771 658 A2 and surface tension reduction of pressurized The drop selection means does transfer roller related patent ink). Selected drops are separated from not need to provide the energy May require two print heads applications the ink in the nozzle by contact with the required to separate the drop printing alternate rows of the image print medium or a transfer roller. from the nozzle Monolithic color print heads are difficult Electrostatic The drops to be printed are selected by Very simple print head Requires very high electrostatic field Silverbrook, pull on ink some manner (e.g. thermally induced fabrication can be used Electrostatic field for small nozzle EP 0771 658 A2 and surface tension reduction of pressurized The drop selection means does sizes is above air breakdown related patent ink). Selected drops are separated from not need to provide the energy Electrostatic field may attract dust applications the ink in the nozzle by a strong electric required to separate the drop Tone-Jet field. from the nozzle Magnetic The drops to be printed are selected by Very simple print head Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook, pull on some manner (e.g. thermally induced fabrication can be used Ink colors other than black are EP 0771 658 A2 and ink surface tension reduction of pressurized The drop selection means does difficult related patent ink). Selected drops are separated from not need to provide the energy Requires very high magnetic fields applications the ink in the nozzle by a strong required to separate the drop magnetic field acting on the magnetic from the nozzle ink. Shutter The actuator moves a shutter to block High speed (>50 KHz) operation Moving parts are required IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 ink flow to the nozzle. The ink pressure can be achieved due to reduced Requires ink pressure modulator is pulsed at a multiple of the drop refill time Friction and wear must be considered ejection frequency. Drop timing can be very Stiction is possible accurate The actuator energy can be very low Shuttered The actuator moves a shutter to block Actuators with small travel can Moving parts are required IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 grill ink flow through a grill to the nozzle. be used Requires ink pressure modulator The shutter movement need only be Actuators with small force can Friction and wear must be considered equal to the width of the grill holes. be used Stiction is possible High speed (>50 KHz) operation can be achieved Pulsed A pulsed magnetic field attracts an ‘ink Extremely low energy operation Requires an external pulsed magnetic IJ10 magnetic pusher’ at the drop ejection frequency. is possible field pull on ink An actuator controls a catch, which No heat dissipation problems Requires special materials for both pusher prevents the ink pusher from moving the actuator and the ink pusher when a drop is not to be ejected. Complex construction

AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) Auxiliary Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None The actuator directly fires the ink drop, Simplicity of construction Drop ejection energy must be Most inkjets, including and there is no external field or other Simplicity of operation supplied by individual nozzle piezoelectric and mechanism required. Small physical size actuator thermal bubble. IJ01-IJ07, IJ09, IJ11 IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22 IJ23-IJ45 Oscillating The ink pressure oscillates, providing Oscillating ink pressure can Requires external ink pressure Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink much of the drop ejection energy. The provide a refill pulse, allowing oscillator 658 A2 and related pressure actuator selects which drops are to be higher operating speed Ink pressure phase and amplitude patent applications (including fired by selectively blocking or enabling The actuators may operate with must be carefully controlled IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 acoustic nozzles. The ink pressure oscillation may much lower energy Acoustic reflections in the ink IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 stimulation) be achieved by vibrating the print head, Acoustic lenses can be used to chamber must be designed for or preferably by an actuator in the ink focus the sound on the nozzles supply. Media The print head is placed in close Low power Precision assembly required Silverbrook, EP 0771 proximity proximity to the print medium. Selected High accuracy Paper fibers may cause problems 658 A2 and related drops protrude from the print head Simple print head construction Cannot print on rough substrates patent applications further than unselected drops, and contact the print medium. The drop soaks into the medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer Drops are printed to a transfer roller High accuracy Bulky Silverbrook, EP 0771 roller instead of straight to the print medium. A Wide range of print substrates Expensive 658 A2 and related transfer roller can also be used for can be used Complex construction patent applications proximity drop separation. Ink can be dried on the transfer Tektronix hot melt roller piezoelectric inkjet Any of the IJ series Electrostatic An electric field is used to accelerate Low power Field strength required for Silverbrook, EP 0771 selected drops towards the print medium. Simple print head construction separation of small drops is near or 658 A2 and related above air breakdown patent applications Tone-Jet Direct A magnetic field is used to accelerate Low power Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook, EP 0771 magnetic selected drops of magnetic ink towards Simple print head construction Requires strong magnetic field 658 A2 and related field the print medium. patent applications Cross The print head is placed in a constant Does not require magnetic Requires external magnet IJ06, IJ16 magnetic magnetic field. The Lorenz force in a materials to be integrated in Current densities may be high, field current carrying wire is used to move the the print head manufacturing resulting in electromigration actuator. process problems Pulsed A pulsed magnetic field is used to Very low power operation is Complex print head construction IJ10 magnetic cyclically attract a paddle, which pushes possible Magnetic materials required in field on the ink. A small actuator moves a Small print head size print head catch, which selectively prevents the paddle from moving.

ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD Actuator amplification Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None No actuator mechanical amplification is Operational simplicity Many actuator mechanisms have Thermal Bubble Inkjet used. The actuator directly drives the insufficient travel, or insufficient IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, IJ07 drop ejection process. force, to efficiently drive the drop IJ16, IJ25, IJ26 ejection process Differential An actuator material expands more on Provides greater travel in a High stresses are involved Piezoelectric expansion one side than on the other. The reduced print head area Care must be taken that the IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24 bend expansion may be thermal, piezoelectric, The bend actuator converts a materials do not delaminate IJ27, IJ29-IJ39, IJ42, actuator magnetostrictive, or other mechanism. high force low travel actuator Residual bend resulting from high IJ43, IJ44 mechanism to high travel, temperature or high stress during lower force mechanism. formation Transient A trilayer bend actuator where the two Very good temperature stability High stresses are involved IJ40, IJ41 bend outside layers are identical. This cancels High speed, as a new drop can Care must be taken that the actuator bend due to ambient temperature and be fired before heat dissipates materials do not delaminate residual stress. The actuator only Cancels residual stress of responds to transient heating of one side formation or the other. Actuator A series of thin actuators are stacked. Increased travel Increased fabrication complexity Some piezoelectric stack This can be appropriate where actuators Reduced drive voltage Increased possibility of short ink jets IJ04 require high electric field strength, such circuits due to pinholes as electrostatic and piezoelectric actuators. Multiple Multiple smaller actuators are used Increases the force available Actuator forces may not add IJ12, IJ13, IJ18, IJ20 actuators simultaneously to move the ink. Each from an actuator linearly, reducing efficiency IJ22, IJ28, IJ42, IJ43 actuator need provide only a portion of Multiple actuators can be the force required. positioned to control ink flow accurately Linear A linear spring is used to transform a Matches low travel actuator with Requires print head area for the IJ15 Spring motion with small travel and high force higher travel requirements spring into a longer travel, lower force motion. Non-contact method of motion transformation Reverse The actuator loads a spring. When the Better coupling to the ink Fabrication complexity IJ05, IJ11 spring actuator is turned off, the spring releases. High stress in the spring This can reverse the force/distance curve of the actuator to make it compatible with the force/time requirements of the drop ejection. Coiled A bend actuator is coiled to provide Increases travel Generally restricted to planar IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 actuator greater travel in a reduced chip area. Reduces chip area implementations due to extreme Planar implementations are fabrication difficulty in other relatively easy to fabricate. orientations. Flexure A bend actuator has a small region near Simple means of increasing Care must be taken not to exceed IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 bend the fixture point, which flexes much travel of a bend actuator the elastic limit in the flexure area actuator more readily than the remainder of the Stress distribution is very uneven actuator. The actuator flexing is Difficult to accurately model with effectively converted from an even finite element analysis coiling to an angular bend, resulting in greater travel of the actuator tip. Gears Gears can be used to increase travel at Low force, low travel actuators Moving parts are required IJ13 the expense of duration. Circular gears, can be used Several actuator cycles are required rack and pinion, ratchets, and other Can be fabricated using standard More complex drive electronics gearing methods can be used. surface MEMS processes Complex construction Friction, friction, and wear are possible Catch The actuator controls a small catch. The Very low actuator energy Complex construction IJ10 catch either enables or disables Very small actuator size Requires external force movement of an ink pusher that is Unsuitable for pigmented inks controlled in a bulk manner. Buckle A buckle plate can be used to change a Very fast movement achievable Must stay within elastic limits of S. Hirata et al, plate slow actuator into a fast motion. It can the materials for long device life “An Ink-jet also convert a high force, low travel High stresses involved Head . . . ”, Proc. actuator into a high travel, medium force Generally high power IEEE MEMS, Feb. motion. requirement 1996, pp 418-423. IJ18, IJ27 Tapered A tapered magnetic pole can increase Linearizes the magnetic Complex construction IJ14 magnetic travel at the expense of force. force/distance curve pole Lever A lever and fulcrum is used to transform Matches low travel actuator with High stress around the fulcrum IJ32, IJ36, IJ37 a motion with small travel and high force higher travel requirements into a motion with longer travel and Fulcrum area has no linear lower force. The lever can also reverse movement, and can be used for the direction of travel. a fluid seal Rotary The actuator is connected to a rotary High mechanical advantage Complex construction IJ28 impeller impeller. A small angular deflection of The ratio of force to travel of the Unsuitable for pigmented inks the actuator results in a rotation of the actuator can be matched to the impeller vanes, which push the ink nozzle requirements by against stationary vanes and out of the varying the number of impeller nozzle. vanes Acoustic A refractive or diffractive (e.g. zone No moving parts Large area required 1993 Hadimioglu et al, lens plate) acoustic lens is used to concentrate Only relevant for acoustic ink jets EUP 550,192 sound waves. 1993 Elrod et al, EUP 572,220 Sharp A sharp point is used to concentrate an Simple construction Difficult to fabricate using standard Tone-jet conductive electrostatic field. VLSI processes for a surface point ejecting ink-jet Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets

ACTUATOR MOTION Actuator motion Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Volume The volume of the actuator changes, Simple construction in the High energy is typically required to Hewlett-Packard expansion pushing the ink in all directions. case of thermal ink jet achieve volume expansion. This Thermal Inkjet leads to thermal stress, cavitation, Canon Bubblejet and kogation in thermal ink jet implementations Linear, The actuator moves in a direction normal Efficient coupling to ink drops High fabrication complexity may IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ07 normal to to the print head surface. The nozzle is ejected normal to the surface be required to achieve IJ11, IJ14 chip surface typically in the line of movement. perpendicular motion Linear, The actuator moves parallel to the print Suitable for planar fabrication Fabrication complexity IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, IJ33, parallel to head surface. Drop ejection may still be Friction IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 chip surface normal to the surface. Stiction Membrane An actuator with a high force but small The effective area of the actuator Fabrication complexity 1982 Howkins U.S. push area is used to push a stiff membrane that becomes the membrane area Actuator size Pat. No. 4,459,601 is in contact with the ink. Difficulty of integration in a VLSI process Rotary The actuator causes the rotation of some Rotary levers may be used to Device complexity IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, IJ28 element, such a grill or impeller increase travel May have friction at a pivot point Small chip area requirements Bend The actuator bends when energized. This A very small change in Requires the actuator to be made 1970 Kyser et al U.S. may be due to differential thermal dimensions can be converted to from at least two distinct layers, Pat. No. 3,946,398 expansion, piezoelectric expansion, a large motion. or to have a thermal difference 1973 Stemme U.S. magnetostriction, or other form of across the actuator Pat. No. 3,747,120 relative dimensional change. IJ03, IJ09, IJ10, IJ19 IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ29 IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, IJ34 IJ35 Swivel The actuator swivels around a central Allows operation where the net Inefficient coupling to the ink IJ06 pivot. This motion is suitable where there linear force on the paddle is motion are opposite forces applied to opposite zero sides of the paddle, e.g. Lorenz force. Small chip area requirements Straighten The actuator is normally bent, and Can be used with shape memory Requires careful balance of IJ26, IJ32 straightens when energized. alloys where the austenic phase stresses to ensure that the quiescent is planar bend is accurate Double bend The actuator bends in one direction when One actuator can be used to Difficult to make the drops ejected IJ36, IJ37, IJ38 one element is energized, and bends the power two nozzles. by both bend directions identical. other way when another element is Reduced chip size. A small efficiency loss compared energized. Not sensitive to ambient to equivalent single bend temperature actuators. Shear Energizing the actuator causes a shear Can increase the effective travel Not readily applicable to other 1985 Fishbeck U.S. motion in the actuator material. of piezoelectric actuators actuator mechanisms Pat. No. 4,584,590 Radial The actuator squeezes an ink reservoir, Relatively easy to fabricate High force required 1970 Zoltan U.S. constriction forcing ink from a constricted nozzle. single nozzles from glass tubing Inefficient Pat. No. 3,683,212 as macroscopic structures Difficult to integrate with VLSI processes Coil/uncoil A coiled actuator uncoils or coils more Easy to fabricate as a planar Difficult to fabricate for non-planar IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 tightly. The motion of the free end of the VLSI process devices actuator ejects the ink. Small area required, Poor out-of-plane stiffness therefore low cost Bow The actuator bows (or buckles) in the Can increase the speed of travel Maximum travel is constrained IJ16, IJ18, IJ27 middle when energized. Mechanically rigid High force required Push-Pull Two actuators control a shutter. One The structure is pinned at both Not readily suitable for inkjets IJ18 actuator pulls the shutter, and the other ends, so has a high out-of- which directly push the ink pushes it. plane rigidity Curl inwards A set of actuators curl inwards to reduce Good fluid flow to the region Design complexity IJ20, IJ42 the volume of ink that they enclose. behind the actuator increases efficiency Curl A set of actuators curl outwards, Relatively simple construction Relatively large chip area IJ43 outwards pressurizing ink in a chamber surrounding the actuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in the chamber. Iris Multiple vanes enclose a volume of ink. High efficiency High fabrication complexity IJ22 These simultaneously rotate, reducing Small chip area Not suitable for pigmented inks the volume between the vanes. Acoustic The actuator vibrates at a high frequency. The actuator can be physically Large area required for efficient 1993 Hadimioglu et al, vibration distant from the ink operation at useful frequencies EUP 550,192 Acoustic coupling and crosstalk 1993 Elrod et al, EUP Complex drive circuitry 572,220 Poor control of drop volume and position None In various ink jet designs the actuator No moving parts Various other tradeoffs are Silverbrook, EP 0771 does not move. required to eliminate moving 658 A2 and related parts patent applications Tone-jet

NOZZLE REFILL METHOD Nozzle refill method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Surface After the actuator is energized, it Fabrication simplicity Low speed Thermal inkjet tension typically returns rapidly to its normal Operational simplicity Surface tension force relatively small Piezoelectric inkjet position. This rapid return sucks in air compared to actuator force IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 through the nozzle opening. The ink Long refill time usually dominates IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 surface tension at the nozzle then exerts a the total repetition rate small force restoring the meniscus to a minimum area. Shuttered Ink to the nozzle chamber is provided at High speed Requires common ink IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 oscillating a pressure that oscillates at twice the Low actuator energy, as the pressure oscillator IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 ink drop ejection frequency. When a drop is actuator need only open or May not be suitable for pressure to be ejected, the shutter is opened for 3 close the shutter, instead of pigmented inks half cycles: drop ejection, actuator ejecting the ink drop return, and refill. Refill actuator After the main actuator has ejected a High speed, as the nozzle is Requires two independent IJ09 drop a second (refill) actuator is actively refilled actuators per nozzle energized. The refill actuator pushes ink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returns slowly, to prevent its return from emptying the chamber again. Positive ink The ink is held a slight positive pressure. High refill rate, therefore a Surface spill must be prevented Silverbrook, EP 0771 pressure After the ink drop is ejected, the nozzle high drop repetition rate is Highly hydrophobic print head 658 A2 and related chamber fills quickly as surface tension possible surfaces are required patent applications and ink pressure both operate to refill the Alternative for: nozzle. IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45

METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Inlet back-flow restriction method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Long inlet The ink inlet channel to the nozzle Design simplicity Restricts refill rate Thermal inkjet channel chamber is made long and relatively Operational simplicity May result in a relatively large Piezoelectric inkjet narrow, relying on viscous drag to Reduces crosstalk chip area IJ42, IJ43 reduce inlet back-flow. Only partially effective Positive ink The ink is under a positive pressure, so Drop selection and separation Requires a method (such as a Silverbrook, EP 0771 pressure that in the quiescent state some of the forces can be reduced nozzle rim or effective 658 A2 and related ink drop already protrudes from the Fast refill time hydrophobizing, or both) to prevent patent applications nozzle. This reduces the pressure flooding of the ejection surface Possible operation in the nozzle chamber which is of the print head. of the following: required to eject a certain volume IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 of ink. The reduction in chamber IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22, pressure results in a reduction IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41 in ink pushed out through the inlet. IJ44 Baffle One or more baffles are placed in the The refill rate is not as Design complexity HP Thermal Ink Jet inlet ink flow. When the actuator is restricted as the long inlet May increase fabrication Tektronix piezoelectric energized, the rapid ink movement method. complexity (e.g. ink jet creates eddies which restrict the flow Reduces crosstalk Tektronix hot melt Piezoelectric through the inlet. The slower refill print heads). process is unrestricted, and does not result in eddies. Flexible flap In this method recently disclosed by Significantly reduces back- Not applicable to most inkjet Canon restricts inlet Canon, the expanding actuator (bubble) flow for edge-shooter configurations pushes on a flexible flap that restricts thermal ink Increased fabrication complexity the inlet. jet devices Inelastic deformation of polymer flap results in creep over extended use Inlet filter A filter is located between the ink inlet Additional advantage of ink Restricts refill rate IJ04, IJ12, IJ24, IJ27 and the nozzle chamber. The filter has a filtration May result in complex construction IJ29, IJ30 multitude of small holes or slots, Ink filter may be fabricated restricting ink flow. The filter also with no additional process removes particles which may block the steps nozzle. Small inlet The ink inlet channel to the nozzle Design simplicity Restricts refill rate IJ02, IJ37, IJ44 compared to chamber has a substantially smaller May result in a relatively large nozzle cross section than that of the nozzle, chip area resulting in easier ink egress out of the Only partially effective nozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet shutter A secondary actuator controls the Increases speed of the ink-jet Requires separate refill actuator IJ09 position of a shutter, closing off the ink print head operation and drive circuit inlet when the main actuator is energized. The inlet is The method avoids the problem of inlet Back-flow problem is Requires careful design to IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 located behind back-flow by arranging the ink-pushing eliminated minimize the negative pressure IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14 the ink-pushing surface of the actuator between the inlet behind the paddle IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25 surface and the nozzle. IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33 IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39 IJ40, IJ41 Part of the The actuator and a wall of the ink Significant reductions in back- Small increase in fabrication IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38 actuator moves chamber are arranged so that the motion flow can be achieved complexity to shut off the of the actuator closes off the inlet. Compact designs possible inlet Nozzle actuator In some configurations of ink jet, there Ink back-flow problem is None related to ink back-flow Silverbrook, EP 0771 does not result is no expansion or movement of an eliminated on actuation 658 A2 and related in ink actuator which may cause ink back-flow patent applications back-flow through the inlet. Valve-jet Tone-jet IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 IJ18, IJ19, IJ21

NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Nozzle Clearing method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Normal All of the nozzles are fired periodically, No added complexity on the May not be sufficient to displace Most ink jet systems nozzle firing before the ink has a chance to dry. When print head dried ink IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 not in use the nozzles are sealed (capped) IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 against air. IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45 The nozzle firing is usually performed during a special clearing cycle, after first moving the print head to a cleaning station. Extra power In systems which heat the ink, but do not Can be highly effective if the Requires higher drive voltage Silverbrook, EP 0771 to ink heater boil it under normal situations, nozzle heater is adjacent to the for clearing 658 A2 and related clearing can be achieved by over- nozzle May require larger drive transistors patent applications powering the heater and boiling ink at the nozzle. Rapid The actuator is fired in rapid succession. Does not require extra drive Effectiveness depends substantially May be used with: succession of In some configurations, this may cause circuits on the print head upon the configuration of the inkjet IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11 actuator heat build-up at the nozzle which boils Can be readily controlled and nozzle IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 pulses the ink, clearing the nozzle. In other initiated by digital logic IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34 situations, it may cause sufficient IJ36-IJ45 vibrations to dislodge clogged nozzles. Extra power Where an actuator is not normally driven A simple solution where Not suitable where there is a hard May be used with: to ink to the limit of its motion, nozzle clearing applicable limit to actuator movement IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20 pushing may be assisted by providing an IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27 actuator enhanced drive signal to the actuator. IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42 IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 Acoustic An ultrasonic wave is applied to the ink A high nozzle clearing High implementation cost if system IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 resonance chamber. This wave is of an appropriate capability can be achieved does not already include an IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 amplitude and frequency to cause May be implemented at very acoustic actuator sufficient force at the nozzle to clear low cost in systems which blockages. This is easiest to achieve if already include acoustic the ultrasonic wave is at a resonant actuators frequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle A microfabricated plate is pushed against Can clear severely clogged Accurate mechanical alignment is Silverbrook, EP 0771 clearing the nozzles. The plate has a post for nozzles required 658 A2 and related plate every nozzle. The array of posts Moving parts are required patent applications There is risk of damage to the nozzles Accurate fabrication is required Ink pressure The pressure of the ink is temporarily May be effective where other Requires pressure pump or May be used with pulse increased so that ink streams from all of methods cannot be used other pressure actuator all IJ series ink jets the nozzles. This may be used in Expensive conjunction with actuator energizing. Wasteful of ink Print head A flexible ‘blade’ is wiped across the Effective for planar print head Difficult to use if print head Many ink jet systems wiper print head surface. The blade is usually surfaces surface is non-planar or very fragile fabricated from a flexible polymer, e.g. Low cost Requires mechanical parts rubber or synthetic elastomer. Blade can wear out in high volume print systems Separate ink A separate heater is provided at the Can be effective where other Fabrication complexity Can be used with boiling nozzle although the normal drop e-ection nozzle clearing methods many IJ series ink jets heater mechanism does not require it. The cannot be used heaters do not require individual drive Can be implemented at no circuits, as many nozzles can be cleared additional cost in some inkjet simultaneously, and no imaging is configurations required.

NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Nozzle plate construction Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Electroformed A nozzle plate is separately fabricated Fabrication simplicity High temperatures and pressures are Hewlett Packard Thermal nickel from electroformed nickel, and bonded required to bond nozzle plate Inkjet to the print head chip. Minimum thickness constraints Differential thermal expansion Laser ablated Individual nozzle holes are ablated by an No masks required Each hole must be individually formed Canon Bubblejet or drilled intense UV laser in a nozzle plate, which Can be quite fast Special equipment required 1988 Sercel et al., SPIE, polymer is typically a polymer such as polyimide Some control Slow where there are many Vol. 998 Excimer Beam or polysulphone over nozzle thousands of nozzles per print head Applications, pp. 76-83 profile is possible May produce thin burrs at exit 1993 Watanabe et al., Equipment required is holes U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 relatively low cost Silicon A separate nozzle plate is High accuracy is Two part construction K. Bean, IEEE micromachined micromachined from single crystal attainable High cost Transactions on silicon, and bonded to the print head Requires precision alignment Electron Devices, Vol. wafer. Nozzles may be clogged by adhesive ED-25, No. 10, 1978, pp 1185-1195 Xerox 1990 Hawkins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Glass Fine glass capillaries are drawn from No expensive Very small nozzle sizes are 1970 Zoltan capillaries glass tubing. This method has been used equipment required difficult to form U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 for making individual nozzles, but is Simple to make single Not suited for mass production difficult to use for bulk manufacturing of nozzles print heads with thousands of nozzles. Monolithic, The nozzle plate is deposited as a layer High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires sacrificial layer under Silverbrook, EP 0771 surface using standard VLSI deposition Monolithic the nozzle plate to form 658 A2 and related micromachined techniques. Nozzles are etched in the Low cost the nozzle chamber patent applications using nozzle plate using VLSI lithography and Existing processes can Surface may be fragile to the touch IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11 VLSI etching. be used IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 lithographic IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 processes IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 IJ33, IJ34, IJ36, IJ37 IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Monolithic, The nozzle plate is a buried etch stop in High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires long etch times IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07 etched through the wafer. Nozzle chambers are etched in Monolithic Requires a support wafer IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13 substrate the front of the wafer, and the wafer is Low cost IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19 thinned from the back side. Nozzles are No differential IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26 then etched in the etch stop layer. expansion No nozzle plate Various methods have been tried to No nozzles to become Difficult to control drop Ricoh 1995 Sekiya et al eliminate the nozzles entirely, to prevent clogged position accurately U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 nozzle clogging. These include thermal Crosstalk problems 1993 Hadimioglu et al bubble mechanisms and acoustic lens EUP 550,192 mechanisms 1993 Elrod et al EUP 572,220 Trough Each drop ejector has a trough through Reduced Drop firing direction is sensitive IJ35 which a paddle moves. There is no manufacturing to wicking. nozzle plate. complexity Monolithic Nozzle slit The elimination of nozzle holes and No nozzles to become Difficult to control drop 1989 Saito et al instead of replacement by a slit encompassing clogged position accurately U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 individual many actuator positions reduces nozzle Crosstalk problems nozzles clogging, but increases crosstalk due to ink surface waves

DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Ejection direction Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Edge Ink flow is along the surface of the chip, Simple construction Nozzles limited to Canon Bubblejet 1979 (‘edge shooter’) and ink drops are ejected from the chip No silicon etching required edge Endo et al GB patent edge. Good heat sinking via substrate High resolution 2,007,162 Mechanically strong is difficult Xerox heater-in-pit 1990 Ease of chip handing Fast color printing Hawkins et al U.S. requires one print Pat. No. 4,899,181 head per color Tone-jet Surface Ink flow is along the surface of the chip, No bulk silicon etching required Maximum ink flow is Hewlett-Packard TIJ 1982 (‘roof shooter’) and ink drops are ejected from the chip Silicon can make an effective heat severely restricted Vaught et al U.S. surface, normal to the plane of the chip. sink Pat. No. 4,490,728 Mechanical strength IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20 IJ22 Through chip, Ink flow is through the chip, and ink High ink flow Requires bulk Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 forward drops are ejected from the front surface Suitable for pagewidth print silicon etching A2 and related patent (‘up shooter’) of the chip. High nozzle packing density applications therefore low manufacturing IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24 cost IJ27-IJ45 Through chip, Ink flow is through the chip, and ink High ink flow Requires wafer IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 reverse drops are ejected from the rear surface of Suitable for pagewidth print thinning IJ07, IJ08, IJ09, IJ10 (‘down shooter’) the chip. High nozzle packing density Requires special IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16 therefore low manufacturing handling during IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25 cost manufacture IJ26 Through Ink flow is through the actuator, which is Suitable for piezoelectric print Pagewidth print heads Epson Stylus actuator not fabricated as part of the same heads require several Tektronix hot melt substrate as the drive transistors. thousand connections piezoelectric ink jets to drive circuits Cannot be manufactured in standard CMOS fabs Complex assembly required

INK TYPE Ink type Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Aqueous, dye Water based ink which typically Environmentally friendly Slow drying Most existing inkjets contains: water, dye, surfactant, No odor Corrosive All IJ series ink jets humectant, and biocide. Bleeds on paper Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 Modern ink dyes have high water- May strikethrough A2 and related patent fastness, light fastness Cockles paper applications Aqueous, Water based ink which typically Environmentally friendly Slow drying IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26 pigment contains: water, pigment, surfactant, No odor Corrosive IJ27, IJ30 humectant, and biocide. Reduced bleed Pigment may clog Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 Pigments have an advantage in reduced Reduced wicking nozzles A2 and related patent bleed, wicking and strikethrough. Reduced strikethrough Pigment may clog applications actuator mechanisms Piezoelectric ink-jets Cockles paper Thermal ink jets (with significant restrictions) Methyl Ethyl MEK is a highly volatile solvent used for Very fast drying Odorous All IJ series ink jets Ketone (MEK) industrial printing on difficult surfaces Prints on various substrates such Flammable such as aluminum cans. as metals and plastics Alcohol Alcohol based inks can be used where Fast drying Slight odor All IJ series ink jets (ethanol, 2- the printer must operate at temperatures Operates at sub-freezing Flammable butanol, and below the freezing point of water. An temperatures others) example of this is in-camera consumer Reduced paper cockle photographic printing. Low cost Phase change The ink is solid at room temperature, and No drying time-ink instantly High viscosity Tektronix hot melt (hot melt) is melted in the print head before jetting. freezes on the print medium Printed ink typically piezoelectric ink jets Hot melt inks are usually wax based, Almost any print medium can be has a ‘waxy’ feel 1989 Nowak U.S. with a melting point around 80° C. After used Printed pages may Pat. No. 4,820,346 jetting the ink freezes almost instantly No paper cockle occurs ‘block’ All IJ series ink jets upon contacting the print medium or a No wicking occurs Ink temperature may be transfer roller. No bleed occurs above the curie No strikethrough occurs point of permanent magnets Ink heaters consume power Long warm-up time Oil Oil based inks are extensively used in High solubility medium for some High viscosity: All IJ series ink jets offset printing. They have advantages in dyes this is a significant improved characteristics on paper Does not cockle paper limitation for use (especially no wicking or cockle). Oil Does not wick through paper in inkjets, which soluble dies and pigments are required. usually require a low viscosity. Some short chain and multi-branched oils have a sufficiently low viscosity. Slow drying Microemulsion A microemulsion is a stable, self forming Stops ink bleed Viscosity higher All IJ series ink jets emulsion of oil, water, and surfactant. High dye solubility than water The characteristic drop size is less than Water, oil, and amphiphilic Cost is slightly higher 100 nm, and is determined by the soluble dies can be used than water based ink preferred curvature of the surfactant. Can stabilize pigment suspensions High surfactant concentration required (around 5%) Ink Jet Printing

A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed to facilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing and data distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can be included in printer devices incorporated as part of the present invention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to these ink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian U.S. Pat./Pat. Provisional Application and Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PO8066 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ01) 6,227,652 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8072 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ02) 6,213,588 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8040 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ03) 6,213,589 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8071 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ04) 6,231,163 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8047 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ05) 6,247,795 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8035 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ06) 6,394,581 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8044 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ07) 6,244,691 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8063 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ08) 6,257,704 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8057 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ09) 6,416,168 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8056 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ10) 6,220,694 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8069 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ11) 6,257,705 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8049 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ12) 6,247,794 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8036 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ13) 6,234,610 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8048 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ14) 6,247,793 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8070 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ15) 6,264,306 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8067 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ16) 6,241,342 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8001 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ17) 6,247,792 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8038 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ18) 6,264,307 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8033 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ19) 6,254,220 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8002 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ20) 6,234,611 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8068 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ21) 6,302,528 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8062 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ22) 6,283,582 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8034 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ23) 6,239,821 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8039 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ24) 6,338,547 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8041 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ25) 6,247,796 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8004 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ26) 09/113,122 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8037 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ27) 6,390,603 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8043 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ28) 6,362,843 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8042 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ29) 6,293,653 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8064 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ30) 6,312,107 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9389 23 Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ31) 6,227,653 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9391 23 Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ32) 6,234,609 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0888 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ33) 6,238,040 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0891 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ34) 6,188,415 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ35) 6,227,654 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0873 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ36) 6,209,989 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0993 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ37) 6,247,791 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ38) 6,336,710 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1398 19 Jan. 1998 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,217,153 (IJ39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2592 25 Mar. 1998 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,416,167 (IJ40) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2593 25 Mar. 1998 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ41) 6,243,113 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3991 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ42) 6,283,581 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3987 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ43) 6,247,790 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3985 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ44) 6,260,953 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3983 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ45) 6,267,469 (Jul. 10, 1998) Ink Jet Manufacturing

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor fabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian U.S. Pat./Pat. Provisional Application and Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PO7935 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,224,780 Apparatus (IJM01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7936 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,235,212 Apparatus (IJM02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7937 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,280,643 Apparatus (IJM03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8061 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,284,147 Apparatus (IJM04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8054 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,214,244 Apparatus (IJM05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8065 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,071,750 Apparatus (IJM06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8055 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,267,905 Apparatus (IJM07) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8053 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,251,298 Apparatus (IJM08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8078 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,258,285 Apparatus (IJM09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7933 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,225,138 Apparatus (IJM10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7950 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,241,904 Apparatus (IJM11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7949 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,299,786 Apparatus (IJM12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8060 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 09/113,124 Apparatus (IJM13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8059 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,231,773 Apparatus (IJM14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8073 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,190,931 Apparatus (IJM15) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8076 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,248,249 Apparatus (IJM16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8075 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,290,862 Apparatus (IJM17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8079 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,241,906 Apparatus (IJM18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8050 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 09/113,116 Apparatus (IJM19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8052 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,241,905 Apparatus (IJM20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7948 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,451,216 Apparatus (IJM21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7951 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,231,772 Apparatus (IJM22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8074 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,274,056 Apparatus (IJM23) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7941 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,290,861 Apparatus (IJM24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8077 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,248,248 Apparatus (IJM25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8058 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,306,671 Apparatus (IJM26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8051 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,331,258 Apparatus (IJM27) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8045 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,110,754 Apparatus (IJM28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7952 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,294,101 Apparatus (IJM29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8046 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,416,679 Apparatus (IJM30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8503 11 Aug. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,264,849 Apparatus (IJM30a) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9390 23 Sep. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,254,793 Apparatus (IJM31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9392 23 Sep. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,235,211 Apparatus (IJM32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0889 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,235,211 Apparatus (IJM35) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,264,850 Apparatus (IJM36) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0882 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,258,284 Apparatus (IJM37) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0874 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,258,284 Apparatus (IJM38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1396 19 Jan. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,228,668 Apparatus (IJM39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2591 25 Mar. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,180,427 Apparatus (IJM41) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3989 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,171,875 Apparatus (IJM40) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3990 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,267,904 Apparatus (IJM42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3986 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,245,247 Apparatus (IJM43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3984 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,245,247 Apparatus (IJM44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3982 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,231,148 Apparatus (IJM45) (Jul. 10, 1998) Fluid Supply

Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian U.S. Pat./Pat. Provisional Application Number Filing Date Title and Filing Date PO8003 15 Jul. 1997 Supply Method 6,350,023 and Apparatus (F1) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8005 15 Jul. 1997 Supply Method 6,318,849 and Apparatus (F2) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9404 23 Sep. 1997 A Device and Method 09/113,101 (F3) (Jul. 10, 1998) MEMS Technology

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor microelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian U.S. Pat./Pat. Provisional Application Number Filing Date Title and Filing Date PO7943 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS01) PO8006 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS02) 6,087,638 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8007 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS03) 09/113,093 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8008 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS04) 6,340,222 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8010 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS05) 6,041,600 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8011 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS06) 6,299,300 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7947 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS07) 6,067,797 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7945 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS08) 09/113,081 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7944 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS09) 6,286,935 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7946 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS10) 6,044,646 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9393 23 Sep. 1997 A Device and 09/113,065 Method (MEMS11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0875 12 Dec. 1997 A Device (MEMS12) 09/113,078 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0894 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 09/113,075 Method (MEMS13) (Jul. 10, 1998) IR Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a disposable camera system such as those described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian Provisional U.S. Pat./Pat. Application and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PP0895 12 Dec. 1997 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,231,148 (IR01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0870 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR02) 09/113,106 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0869 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR04) 6,293,658 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 09/113,104 (IR05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0885 12 Dec. 1997 An Image Production System (IR06) 6,238,033 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0884 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,312,070 (IR10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0886 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,238,111 (IR12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0871 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR13) 09/113,086 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0876 12 Dec. 1997 An Image Processing Method and 09/113,094 Apparatus (IR14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0877 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR16) 6,378,970 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0878 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR17) 6,196,739 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0879 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR18) 09/112,774 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0883 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR19) 6,270,182 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0880 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR20) 6,152,619 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0881 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR21) 09/113,092 (Jul. 10, 1998) DotCard Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a data distribution system such as that described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian U.S. Pat./Pat. Provisional Application and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PP2370 16 Mar. 1998 Data Processing 09/112,781 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (Dot01) PP2371 16 Mar. 1998 Data Processing 09/113,052 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (Dot02)

Artcam Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of camera and data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device as described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian Provisional U.S. Pat./Pat. Application and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PO7991 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,060 (ART01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7988 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,476,863 (ART02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7993 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,073 (ART03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9395 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,322,181 (ART04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8017 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,747 (ART06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8014 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART07) 6,227,648 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8025 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,750 (ART08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8032 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,746 (ART09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7999 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,743 (ART10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7998 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,742 (ART11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8031 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,741 (ART12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8030 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART13) 6,196,541 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7997 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART15) 6,195,150 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7979 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART16) 6,362,868 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8015 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART17) 09/112,738 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7978 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART18) 09/113,067 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7982 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,431,669 (ART19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7989 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,362,869 (ART20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8019 15 Jul. 1997 Media Processing Method and Apparatus 6,472,052 (ART21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7980 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,356,715 (ART22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8018 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,777 (ART24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7938 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,224 (ART25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8016 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,366,693 (ART26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8024 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,329,990 (ART27) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7940 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,072 (ART28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7939 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,785 (ART29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8501 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,137,500 (ART30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8500 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,796 (ART31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7987 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,071 (ART32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8022 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,398,328 (ART33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8497 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,090 (ART34) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8020 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,431,704 (ART38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8023 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,222 (ART39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8504 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,786 (ART42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8000 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,415,054 (ART43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7977 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,782 (ART44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7934 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,056 (ART45) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7990 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,059 (ART46) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8499 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,486,886 (ART47) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8502 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,381,361 (ART48) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7981 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,317,192 (ART50) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7986 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,057 (ART51) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7983 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,054 (ART52) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8026 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,752 (ART53) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8027 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,759 (ART54) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8028 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,757 (ART56) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9394 23 Sep. 1997 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 6,357,135 (ART57) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9396 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,107 (ART58) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9397 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,271,931 (ART59) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9398 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,353,772 (ART60) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9399 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,106,147 (ART61) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9400 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,790 (ART62) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9401 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,304,291 (ART63) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9402 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,788 (ART64) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9403 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,305,770 (ART65) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9405 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,289,262 (ART66) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0959 16 Dec. 1997 A Data Processing Method and 6,315,200 Apparatus (ART68) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1397 19 Jan. 1998 A Media Device (ART69) 6,217,165 (Jul. 10, 1998) 

1. A print roll unit that comprises an elongate ink reservoir core defining a plurality of ink chambers which each extend along the core, the chambers being isolated to store respective inks; a roll of print media including a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former; and a housing including a pair of molded covers which can be fastened together in a releasable manner to house the roll of print media, wherein the core includes an elongate molded part defining the ink chambers, and a rubber sealing cap which can be engaged with an end of the molded part to seal the ink chambers.
 2. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein an end of the core defines a plurality of serpentine breathing channels each in fluid communication with a respective ink chamber to facilitate the egress of ink from the ink chambers.
 3. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the core further includes sealing tape which covers the breathing channels.
 4. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core defines a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs which can engage with the inside of the tubular former.
 5. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded covers define complementary formations to enable the molded covers to be snap fitted together.
 6. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the molded covers defines an elongate slot through which the print media can exit the print roll unit.
 7. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, further including a plurality of pinch rollers which are each rotationally mounted to the housing and are arranged to de-curl the print media as it is unwound from the roll.
 8. A camera including a print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, and a printer in fluid communication with the core and configured to print captured images on the print media with ink stored in the ink chambers. 